Word origin of 'matter'

matter for learners of EnglishPowered by COBUILD (mætəʳ)

Word forms: matters, mattering, mattered

Definitions

1. countable noun

A matter is a task, situation, or event which you have to deal with or think about, especially one that involves problems. ⇒ It was clear that she wanted to discuss some private matter. ⇒ Until the matter is resolved the athletes will be ineligible to compete. [+ for] ⇒ Don't you think this is now a matter for the police? ⇒ Business matters drew him to Paris.

2. plural noun [no det]

You use matters to refer to the situation you are talking about, especially when something is affecting the situation in some way.things ⇒ If your ordinary life is out of control, then retreating into a cosy ritual will not improve matters. ⇒ If it would facilitate matters, I would be happy to come to New York. ⇒ Matters took an unexpected turn.

3. singular noun

If you say that a situation is amatterof a particular thing, you mean that that is the most important thing to be done or considered when you are involved in the situation or explaining it. [+ of] ⇒ History is always a matter of interpretation. ⇒ Observance of the law is a matter of principle for us. ⇒ After that, life became a matter of defying school rules. [+ of] ⇒ Jack had attended these meetings as a matter of routine for years.

4. uncountable noun

Printedmatter consists of books, newspapers, and other texts that are printed. Readingmatter consists of things that are suitable for reading, such as books and newspapers. ⇒ ...the Government's plans to levy VAT on printed matter. ⇒ ...a rich variety of reading matter.

5. uncountable noun

Matter is the physical part of the universe consisting of solids, liquids, and gases. ⇒ A proton is an elementary particle of matter. ⇒ He has spent his career studying how matter behaves at the fine edge between order and disorder.

6. uncountable noun

You use matter to refer to a particular type of substance. ⇒ They feed mostly on decaying vegetable matter. ⇒ ...waste matter from industries.

7. singular noun

You use matter in expressions such as 'What's the matter?' or 'Is anything the matter?' when you think that someone has a problem and you want to know what it is. ⇒ Carole, what's the matter? You don't seem happy. ⇒ What's the matter with your office? ⇒ She told him there was nothing the matter. [Also + with]

8. singular noun

You use matter in expressions such as 'a matter of weeks' when you are emphasizing how small an amount is or how short a period of time is. [emphasis] ⇒ Within a matter of days she was back at work. ⇒ He expected to be at East Grinstead station in a matter of hours. ⇒ This time the journey was short, a matter of four or five miles up into the hills.

9. verb [no cont]

If you say that something does not matter, you mean that it is not important to you because it does not have an effect on you or on a particular situation. [V] ⇒ A lot of the food goes on the floor but that doesn't matter. [V] ⇒ As for Laura and me, the colour of our skin has never mattered. [V wh] ⇒ As long as staff are smart, it does not matter how long their hair is. [V that] ⇒ Does it matter that people don't know this? [V + to] ⇒ Money is the only thing that matters to them.

Example sentences containing 'matter'

A problem had arisen at work, an awkward matter which was the reason I'd phoned his wifeyesterday.Hugo Wilcken THE EXECUTIONThe guards in the hall outside the First Sister's apartments were a different matter.Jennifer Fallon TREASON KEEPI would have thought you'd be anxious to let the matter drop.Jennifer Fallon TREASON KEEPShe would never be free of him, no matter where she moved, no matter where she went.Lisa Scottoline LEGAL TENDER

British English: matter /ˈmætə/ VERBIf something matters, it is important because it has an effect on a situation.Most young people take their music seriously; it matters to them.Does it matter that people don't know this?